Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Two Pastors in a Pub

Churches are closing, right? People are leaving. There are only a handful of old people going to church. Surely the church in the UK and in the West is destined to shrink away to nothing.

Is this true? What about stories of a "quiet revival"? What is happening? Is there a new openness to faith in God?

Join Tom, Karen & Matt in the pub for an intriguing discussion. Plus, or course, some weird drinks.

If faith in God is so good, why would someone give up on it? Surely, if Jesus is real - then turning away doesn't make sense. Why do people lose faith? Why do people get faith in the first place?

Matt, Tom & Karen are back in the pub looking at the 8 reasons for someone to lose their faith in God. Join them, and some weird drinks, for a fascinating 40 minutes of discussion - and maybe a little bit of faith.

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Shouldn't church leaders be an example of honesty, purity and kindness? If they are followers of Jesus - isn't this just a normal expectation? So why do we hear so often of Christian ministers, preachers, pastors, bishops who seem to get it wrong? They say one thing and do another. They look good on the surface, but in secret there is something else going on.
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub exploring this challenging subject accompanied by a selection of weird drinks.
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Surely any sane person can see that things are falling apart. Any optimism from the post-WW2 world and the end of the Cold War has gone – wars in Ukraine, Congo, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan – a global pandemic – millions of refugees – chaotic unstable politics in USA, Korea, France, Germany – right-wing nationalism on the rise – humans rights being abused – climate crisis - mental health crisis – addiction to our phones – the obesity epidemic – economic instability & falling living standards.

Why does is feel that things are falling apart? Is the world getting worse (or better)? What does God say about the state of our planet, society and lives?

Matt, Tom & Karen are back in the pub wrestling with this. Join them and some weird drinks.

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Surely if God is powerful and He answers prayers – then the team with the most people praying for it should win. Is God interested in sport? Does He support the other team? Does God answer prayers for anything? Is there even a God in the first place? Does sport matter?

Tom, Matt & Karen are exploring this apparently trivial – but ultimately very deep subject. What is God's relationship with the world? Does He get involved with the stuff of human lives, or has he left us to it?

With some weird drinks – join for another fascinating discussion.

Why would you think God only speaks to Christians? Isn't God interested in everybody? Why wouldn't God speak to the leaders or holy people from any religion? Is the god of the Muslims, Hindus and Christians the same? Is there a god anyway?
Join Matt, Tom & Karen in the Plough Inn for this discussion exploring whether God speaks, what He thinks about all religions, why a religion might be wrong, how does someone hear from God anyway.
Plus of course - this episode's weird drinks.
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Trump. Harris. Democrat. Republican.
Economy. Migration. Foreign Policy. Abortion. 
US politics fills the news - even in the 95% of the world that can't vote. But how much does it matter? Is God interested? Does God have a favoured candidate?
Why are Christians - especially the famous 'Evangelicals' so involved in the election?
Is America any more important than other countries?
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub, with some weird (US) drinks to explore this fascinating and current issue.
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What is wrong with women? Why does the church give women such a hard time? Do they think women are stupid or sinful? Why are all the leaders men?

Special guest Caz McCrone joins Matt Frost in the pub for this crunchy subject. They wrestle with this big question. Exploring if the church is misogynistic (women-hating) or is it just becoming feminist and woke because Western culture says it should. How did Jesus relate to women?

Back in the pub with more weird drinks for this fascinating and entertaining discussion.

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Matt & Tom are discussing this hot topic at the Ship Inn in Brimscombe.
Do animals have souls? Will Matt's dog Elsie be in heaven (or hell)? What should be our attitudes to animals and nature? Does God want me to be vegetarian? Are animals there to be used by humans?
Top-class canine, philosophical and theological debate - including some weird drinks and a passing French Bulldog.
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If I am in real pain with a terminal illness, isn't it right that I should be allowed to end my suffering? Isn't this simply compassion? Why should we prolong pain? Doesn't God want suffering to end?
But if we allow this, will it start to put pressure on people to end their lives so that they are not a bother to the living? If I have a disability, will I be asked to end my life? 
Who should supervise this process? Aren't doctors meant to preserve life?
If God created life - who should be allowed to end it?

Tom & Matt are back in the pub (The Ship Inn at Brimscombe) with weird drinks wrestling with this challenging and emotional subject. Join them for an impassioned discussion.
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What is Christianity? What is it all about? Does it change the way someone lives? What is at the heart of the Christianity? And is it even true? When someone says they are a Christian - what does that mean? And don't lots of Christians do bad things - so what is the value of their religion?
Matt & Tom are joined by the good people of Chipping Sodbury in the Old Bank Pub for a fascinating evening of discussion and audience questions. Plus some of the weirdest drinks ever tasted on the podcast.

What's the point? What's the point of life? Why are we here? Is there any meaning, or are we just a cosmic accident?
Matt has ditched Tom and Karen and headed for a sunny cafe to meet special guest Deano. 
Dean asks the "What's the Point?" question - and offers 3 possible answers. He also tells his journey of discovery  - and how he was 'guided' around a rainy town by a voice - and where that led him.
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The British flag - the Union Jack - has been appearing on streets across the UK. What does this express? Is this a desire to return to 'British values? And is this flag a Christian symbol? Is patriotism a good thing? What does God think about love of country? What about other countries and their flags? Are St George, St Andrew & St Patrick to be celebrated in Britain?

Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Plough to explore patriotism, nationalism, patron saints, immigration and what Jesus might say about all this. Join them and some more weird drinks for a fascinating discussion.

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Is Jesus a progressive liberal or a responsible conservative? Is he woke, or is he anti-woke?
Matt, Tom & Karen wade in the 'Culture Wars' in this latest episode. 
Does Jesus stand with the marginalised? Which side of the culture wars would he be on? Does he stand for law & order? Is he 
Questions of race, gender, poverty, politics - all are here. Accompanied as always by some weird drinks.
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Have you ever experienced a miracle? Have you ever heard of a miracle? Is there any evidence to support the idea that miracles happen? Is it just coincidence or wish fulfilment on the part of gullible believers? 
If there is a God, why does he need to do miracles? 
Join Tom, Matt & Karen as they explore this question, tell some amazing stories and 'enjoy' another round of weird drinks in the pub.
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Why Do Christians Sing to the Wall? Wherever you go, Christians seem to be singing. They sing on their own, they sing in groups, they sing at the wall. Why? What's with all the singing? Are they just deluded, singing to a God who isn't there? Is it just trying to convince themselves that it really is true? Does the devil have the best tunes?
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Plough Inn, with some genuinely awful drinks - to explore this subject. WARNING: Contains Singing!

In light of events in the Middle East, Tom, Matt & Karen wrestle with a current and curious question. We know why Israel is in the news, but why do Christians talk about it so much? Why do some Christians support the state of Israel enthusiastically? Why is Christianity so full of Jewish things?
Join our team in the pub, with some weird drinks, to explore this controversial subject.

In front of a lively but friendly crowd at the Star Inn our team of Karen, Tom & Matt wrestle with the question of the meaning of science and faith. Because of the growth of science, does this mean faith is pushed out? Is it reasonable to have faith in God and have a scientific worldview? 
Plus questions from the audience - this was a fun evening and a very interesting listen. 
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Tom, Karen & Matt are back in the pub (well, sort of) with some weird drinks - to ask what may seem to be an obvious question. Isn't it obvious that Christianity is a religion, along with the other big religions in the world? So why ask the question?
So, what is a religion in the first place? Are there things about Christianity that make it different to other religions, faiths or philosophies? Would every religion say that theirs is unique and special?
Take a listen as they wrestle with this question, and as is often the case on this podcast, come to a rather nuanced answer.

Are humans alone in the universe? Is there life on other planets? Did God create humans as unique? Do we share the universe? Has there been contact between aliens and humans? Are ETs found in the bible?
All this and more is explored by Matt, Tom & Karen in the 'pub' with some weird drinks. Looking at science, popular culture, personal experiences and the Bible - this will be an interesting listen for a believer and a sceptic.

Religion is full of rules, right? Do this, don't do that. Being 'spiritual' has become increasingly popular in the Western world - and being religious has greatly decreased. Can you be spiritual without being religious? Isn't it better to focus on the things of the spiritual world and less on rules, dogma and religious organisations like the church?

Tom, Karen & Matt are back in the pub to explore this. With special attention paid to what has been know as the New Age Movement. What is it? Where does it come from? And is it better than organised religion?
Join us for 40 minutes of informed chat and 3 very weird drinks.

Possessions, money, houses, cars, hobbies, clothes - what should we do with it all? Is it good to collect for ourselves and our families? Or should I sell everything except the essentials for the sake of the poor and the planet? Surely Jesus wasn't interested in money and stuff? He didn't own a house or a horse - so shouldn't we follow in his footsteps?
Inspired by a listener's question about his collection of Marvel action figures - Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Plough Inn wrestling with their stuff. Joined of course by this month's collection of weird drinks.

Is the culture we live in good for us? Is it evil and corrupt? Is it creative and life-giving? Music, films, books, TV, games, ideas, conversations, art, sport.... all of this makes up our culture. How should we approach it? Does God have any interest in culture? Is culture now better than culture in the past - or is the opposite true? 
Tom Wharin, Matt Frost & Karen Simson are back in the Plough Inn, with some very weird drinks, wrestling with this question from one of our listeners. 
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Are the hidden humanoids living in the forest? Is there a Yeti in Nepal, a Bigfoot in America, a Yowie in Australia and big cats in the UK? What are they? Do they exist? Are they aliens? Are they hybrids? And how do they relate to the mysterious giants in the Bible - the Nephilim?

Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub wrestling with this unusual question - inspired by one of the regular listeners. Join them for a fascinating chat and some weird drinks.

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Do spirits exist? Is it possible to be influenced or controlled by them? Are films like The Exorcist or Ghostbusters based on truth? Is it all just out-of-date fantastical thinking and rational modern people shouldn't even be thinking about these things? What about the stories from Jesus' life that describe him delivering people from evil spirits?
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in The Plough Inn (with some much-improved recording equipment) to wrestle with this tricky subject. Accompanied, as usual, by some very weird drinks.

Why might God be interested in who I marry? Isn't love the only thing that matters? Why does the bible talk about sex and marriage? Does it need to be a man & a woman?
Tom Wharin, Matt Frost & Karen Simson are back in a new pub to explore this fascinating and controversial subject. Talking about science, sociology, the bible and relationships Tom & Matt walk through this conversation  - helped by some weird drinks.

Is it right for someone with strong religious views to hold public office in a modern society? Will they just try to impose their views on others? Should everyone in politics have neutral views? Would it be better if all those in power were atheists?
Tom, Matt & Karen are back - in a new pub - to consider this question. Inspired by recent stories in the news they wrestle with the "mucky business" of politics & religion!

There are many good reasons for being an atheist. What are they? Do they make sense? And what to believers do with these reasons? Do they just ignore them? Are there good reasons for believing in God?
With the help of atheist friends, Tom Wharin & Matt Frost have compiled a list of reasons - and explore some of them with the help of Karen Simson.
Back in the pub again, tasting some more weird drinks too.

Recorded live in front of an enthusiastic audience in the Star Inn our two pastors Tom & Matt and their host Karen wrestle with the question "Is the UK (or any nation) a Christian country?".
Is there such a thing as a Christian country? What is one? Is the UK Christian? Was it ever? What about other countries? 
Live discussion from Tom, Matt & Karen followed by questions from the friendly and challenging audience at the Star Inn.
Join them for 55 minutes of discussion, laughs and some very weird drinks.

One of the Two Pastors in a Pub podcast's listeners described the internet at a "horrible machine with a mind of its own". Is this true? Is the internet evil? Is it controlling the world and allowing forces that want wrong to prevail to change the world? Or is it something that is benefitting many of us, bringing people together and even blessed by God?
Matt, Karen & Tom are back in the pub with their weird drinks to explore this. How is the world affected by the internet, and what does God think about it? Join them for 40 minutes of thought, ideas, stories and a bit of nonsense.

Catholic, Baptist, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, Episcopalian....... There are a lot of churches. Are they really saying and believing the same things about God? Which is the right one? Are they all wrong? It's confusing to people who are new to church, and for those who have been around for a while. The fact that churches argue with one another can really deter people from considering Christianity.
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub to explore this issue with intelligence (!) and humour - plus a few weird drinks.

Should I love my country? Is it good to be proud of my country? What if I want to defend it? Is it OK to hate the country next door?
And what about my football team, surely it's OK to support them?
What do you think? What does Jesus think?
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub exploring this. Inspired by the forthcoming World Cup (football/soccer) they wrestle with the love of country and why Tom really likes  Stephenson's Rocket. They explore the story of the Good Samaritan and what it means to nationalism.

The Sexual Revolution promised freedom. Freedom from old constraints, freedom for men and women, freedom to enjoy. Has it delivered? Are we free? Are we more fulfilled?
Karen and Matt are joined by guest Andy Bannister (from Solas) to explore the benefits and costs of the sexual revolution. They ask whether the picture that God paints of our identities and our sexuality works in practice.
Join them for 45 minutes of discussion  - plus the usual weird drinks.

Muslims & Christians have many things in common. They both speak of one God, who made the world and offers eternal life - but are there differences between what they believe and does it matter? Surely it's all the same God in the end.
Matt Frost & Karen Simson are joined by a new pastor (Tom is away for 2 months) - Andy Banister. They are also in a new pub with some even weirder drinks. Join them for 40 minutes to explore this fascinating subject.

Does alcohol cause more harm than good? Does it damage our health, our relationships, our society, our finances and our mental well-being? Or is it one of the enjoyable things of life given for us to find pleasure in? And what does God think about it? Surely God doesn't like people being drunk - but Jesus turned water into wine.

Join Matt, Tom, Karen and a live audience at the George Hotel in Chipping Sodbury as they navigate this. Helped by the Booze Board, questions from the crowd and, of course, some weird drinks.

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White lies. Not dark lies. Just small ones that make my life easier. Surely these are OK? Don't they just help the world get along? Aren't there some people in the Bible who tell lies? What's the problem?
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub - with their weird drinks - to explore this issue. Is it obvious, or is it a bit more subtle? 
Join them as they tell the truth - or do they?
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Monogamy. Staying with the same partner. Married for life. What's so great about it? Relationships are hard, so why stick with one that's not great? Go and find someone that makes you happier.
Our two pastors, Tom & Matt are back in the pub, along with their guide Karen. A lively discussion about why God seems keen on monogamy. Wrestling with the realities of life and relationships - including the tough bits - and asking if there really are any benefits of living with the same person for all of your life.
Join them for 45 minutes of inciteful debate - plus the usual round of weird drinks.

Tom, Matt & Karen are in the pub (fully clothed) but are asking questions about God's attitude to our unclothed bodies. Is nakedness a problem? Should we hide our bodies, or get them on display? 
Inspired by a curious incident in Tom's home town, which prompted the question in his mind "Am I just a prude?". So, button up for a fascinating ride through nudity, sex, modesty and wobbly bits.
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Tom & Matt (our two pastors) and their host Karen are back in the Star Inn tackling a tough question that gets asked when we face the loss of someone close. Where have they gone? Is there anything after death? How can I be sure of this? Is it not just wishful thinking?
Join them for 40 minutes of thoughtful and humourous exploration.
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Is prayer meaningless? Does anything happen? And why do some believers claim that prayers have been answered, when so many prayers appear to be unanswered? Is it all just wishful thinking?
Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub wrestling with this question that is as old as humanity. Prompted by a question from a listener, they explore the question, explore possible answers and then settle for one of them.
If you have a question, then please email twopastorsinapub@gmail.com

Back in the Star Inn, Matt & Tom (our two pastors) wrestle with the question, prompted by the war in Ukraine: would you make and throw a Molotov Cocktail (petrol bomb) if you lived in Ukraine and were being invaded by a foreign army?
Exploring what Jesus says about violence, how to make the world a better place, just war and more they explore this challenging and current question.
Guided along by Karen and sipping some unusual drinks this makes an engaging listen.
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Spooks, ghouls, poltergeists, hauntings, ouija.... Are they real? Are they imagination? Is there always another explanation? Are they from God? Are they from the devil? Are they just the product of our evolved brains?  What are mediums communicating with? What about Samuel & the Witch of Endor? Have you ever seen a ghost?
All this, and more as Tom, Matt & Karen dig into this subject - along with some weird drinks.

Where did the Covid pandemic come from? Where is God? Is it His punishment for the world's sin? Why did He allow it to happen? Is the planet fighting back against humans? Tom, Matt & Karen are back in a pub (well not quite) exploring this issue.
They will tackle snakes, the Black Death, 9/11, AIDS, Exodus and of course Jesus as the venture into this current yet always relevant subject.
Tom Wharin is the pastor at Wotton under Edge Baptist Church and Matt Frost is the pastor at Cirencester in the UK. Karen is their friend who tries to help them.
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A listener asks "How is the violence in the Old Testament any different from the Taliban?" At the time of recording, we have seen the Taliban take over control in Afghanistan, and there is evidence of religiously motivated violence.
When someone reads the bible - in particular the Old Testament, there appear to be stories that look very similar - violence in the name of God, and even violence used by God. How does this square with the picture of Jesus who was non-violent? What does it say about who God is?

Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the pub wrestling with this tough question - as welll as tasting some more weird drinks. Send in questions and comments to twopastorsinapub@gmail.com.

Tom Wharin, Matt Frost and Karen Simson are back in the Star Inn at Wotton under Edge with another question and some more weird drinks. 
Climate change is being discussed globally - but is it real? Is it something that should concern me? Is it being used by governments, companies and the liberal elite to control us?
And if it is real - is God responsible for it, and can't He do something about it?

Tom, Matt & Karen trade facts and ideas in a noisy evening session at the pub. Please join them.

How can you trust this ancient book? Surely it's been passed down from generation to generation and each time people have made a change - like a giant game of Chinese Whispers (Telephone to our US listeners). 

Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Plough to ask this vital question. The bible may be popular, but hasn't it been changed by people with agendas? Hasn't it collected loads of mistakes over the years? How can you say it comes from God?

Join them and some weird drinks to uncover some surprising facts.

Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Star Inn wrestling with another question. After some more weird drinks, they ask: Is Christianity Transphobic?    What is a Christian view of trans-activism and trans-people?  Is society is confused about gender issues?  Are we even allowed to talk about this anymore?  Karen introduces a controversial subject with trepidation and Tom is forced by a listener’s question to read a book. 

Matt & Tom are two sport-loving pastors from Gloucestershire, UK - who also love debating the big questions of life, the universe and everything with people who are looking for some friendly & lively discussion. Karen tries to keep them in order.

Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Star Inn wrestling with another question. After some more weird drinks, they wrestle with the question: Is there a global conspiracy? Are there secret forces at work behind the scenes manipulating the world for their own ends?
Covid, 9/11, Finland, the Illuminati ... What is really going on? Does God give us any light on all of this?
Matt & Tom are two sport-loving pastors from Gloucestershire, UK - who also love debating the big questions of life, the universe and everything with people who are looking for some friendly & lively discussion. Karen tries to keep them in order.

Matt Frost, Tom Wharin (our two pastors), and Karen Simson (our host) are back in the pub.
Friday 13th, black cats, broken mirrors, driving over lemons - the list of superstitions from around the world is long. Where do they come from? Why do we have them? Do any of them work? What does God make of them?
Join Karen, Tom & Matt for 40 minutes of lively discussion as they take on superstitions, with the help of some weird drinks.

Tom, Matt & Karen are back in the Star Inn. Inspired by a huge gorilla, and a question from a listener they ask "Why, if God is so loving and so powerful, He can often seem so hard to find?". Why is he not more obvious, even when some people are actively looking for God?
They explore who God is, some philosophy, how relationships work, the nature of love and how God can speak to people. Plus of course, some weird drinks.